Fixed-wing – Page 27
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NewsBAE, Leonardo advance self-protection pact for international market
The US government has approved a joint effort to combine the self-protection capabilities of BAE Systems Inc’s AAR-57 common missile warning system and Leonardo’s Miysis directed infrared countermeasure technology.
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NewsArtificial intelligence-controlled aircraft completes combat manoeuvres in USAF test
Two artificial intelligence “agents” developed by the US military completed 17h of flight tests in December, focused on execution of advanced fighter manoeuvres such as close-range dogfighting and beyond-visual-range combat.
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NewsFourth airborne object shot down after overflying ‘sensitive sites’
Another unidentified aerial object was shot down by an F-16 fighter aircraft near the maritime border between the USA and Canada on Lake Huron – the third unknown object and fourth overall to be destroyed in the past week.
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NewsUS fighter jet shoots down third airborne object over North America
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered fighter jets to shoot down an unidentified airborne object, the third such object that has been downed over North America in one week.
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NewsUS F-22s shoot down unidentified high-altitude object over Alaska
The Pentagon says at the direction of US President Joe Biden fighter aircraft shot down an unknown object off the coast of Alaska around 40,000ft, with military officials describing the craft as posing a hazard to commercial aviation.
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NewsU-2 spy planes monitored Chinese balloon during USA transit
While the US military is keeping quiet about what measures it took during the recent balloon flyover, a senior American diplomat says high-altitude Lockheed Martin U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were used to collect information on the airship.
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NewsLeonardo to upgrade avionics on USA’s remaining C-27Js
The $91 million contract with the US Special Operations Command will provide an upgraded avionics package on the ageing Leonardo tactical transports, currently operated by the US Coast Guard and the US Army’s special operators.
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NewsUK announces Ukrainian fighter pilot training pact
The UK Ministry of Defence has pledged to deliver future training to Ukrainian air force fighter pilots, although its commitment stops short of any transfer of combat aircraft to Kyiv.
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NewsNearly one-third of US Senators oppose selling F-16s to Turkey
In a letter to President Joe Biden, 29 US Senators officially declared their opposition to selling NATO ally Turkey F-16 fighter jets, unless Ankara drops its opposition to Finland and Sweden entering the military alliance.
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NewsUSAF launches effort to develop stealthy air tanker
Formerly known as “KC-Z”, the programme now dubbed Next Generation Air-refuelling System seeks to deliver an air tanker capable of surviving in a contested environment by 2040.
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NewsAurora and General Atomics advance in DARPA seaplane project
The aircraft manufacturers will develop designs for full-scale demonstrators under the ‘Liberty Lifter’ programme, which seeks to produce a heavy lift aircraft that can take-off and land without ground or ship-based infrastructure.
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AnalysisFrom freighters to Air Force One: how the current 747 fleet is deployed
After a production run totalling 1,574 aircraft, Boeing’s 747 remains in widespread use around the globe, with almost one-quarter of all delivered jumbos still operational.
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AnalysisHow special 747 variants have delivered in military and niche roles
Boeing’s ever-versatile 747 continues to fill a range of niche applications for military and other operators, even including its use as a satellite launch platform.
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NewsRAF Hawk T2s airborne again after short grounding, as trainer developer seals AirTanker pact
The UK has returned its BAE Systems Hawk T2 jet trainers to service following a short precautionary grounding due to engine issues.
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NewsUSAF orders more Boeing KC-46s, as inspectors identify more failings
The US Air Force placed an order worth $2 billion with Boeing for 15 new KC-46 air tankers, just as the Pentagon’s test office identified new faults with the troubled jet.
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NewsJAL invests in sea-glider start-up Regent Craft
Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, the venture arm of the Japanese carrier, has invested in start-up sea glider developer Regent Craft.
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NewsItalian industry cements its role in GCAP fighter effort
Italy’s leading defence companies have signed a contract to advance the nation’s role in the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which seeks to deliver a new manned Tempest fighter and complementary systems for operational use from 2035.
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NewsLockheed’s first Greenville-built F-16 makes debut flight
Lockheed Martin has performed a debut flight with the first F-16 fighter built at its Greenville site in South Carolina: a two-seat, Block 70 example built for Bahrain.
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NewsFlat sales in 2023, return to growth in 2024 for Lockheed Martin
Inflation and supply chain headwinds continue to challenge the defence manufacturer, but company executives say new contracts and better than expected defence funding in the USA will drive a return to growth in 2024.
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NewsQinetiq boosts fixed-wing training fleet for German military
German operator Qinetiq GmbH has announced a fleet expansion involving its acquisition of nine secondhand Pilatus PC-9Bs and a new-build pair of Diamond DA62s.